Every All-True Story of How a Novel Gets Published must contain some missteps; otherwise it would be a fairy tale. I experienced my first this week. I was handing out one of my swanky new business cards, with The Wednesday Sisters cover on one side and The Four Ms. Bradwells cover on the other and, in type underneath it, Coming March 22, …
2100?!
Do I look like Mark Twain?!
Wait, don’t answer that! Though I might just agree to wait the 100 years he did before my book released if it would result in the sales he’s getting for his just-released biography.
Would that a typo in a business card will be the worst thing that happens on my way to publication.
It’s been well over a month since my last All-True post, so you might think that nothing has been happening. And in a way, on my end that’s true. I’ve been heeding my own advice for a change, and spending most of my time writing (a new novel that Ballantine will publish in … well, that depends on how fast I can write it, but likely 2013).
But the gang at Ballantine have been very busy:
– The advanced reader copies of The Four Ms. Bradwells have gone out to booksellers (with the boat cover, may it rest in peace), and to the press (wrapped in the pearls!).
– I’m told we’re getting some wonderful responses from booksellers already, including – at the risk of jinxing myself … never mind, I’m NOT jinxing myself.
– The art department and marketing team have been working on the dust jacket, which is lovely. (Here’s a sneak peek at the spine.)
– The publicity team is arranging a tour – more on that to come, but I’ll be doing events in San Francisco, Ann Arbor, Washington D.C., and other cities in the South and Midwest.
And that’s just the beginning!
I also visited Ballantine in New York on my way back home from England (where I went to research the setting for the new novel). I’d met quite of few of the gang on earlier trips, but this time was very special as I got to connect in person with almost everyone working on The Four Ms. Bradwells. Really, really lovely afternoon.
I’ve been trying to do my pre-pub part since I’ve been home, too, working on some shorter pieces that might be published around the time The Four Ms. Bradwells comes out, and spiffying up my online presence: adding my covers to places like my twitter page and working with the amazing Ilsa Brink on a redesign of my website.
I’ve also ordered new business cards, of course.
And, OK, I’ve perhaps wasted a little time photoshopping goofy photos of myself in Mark Twain hair and mustache, too – and dreaming of Mark Twain sales and literary fame. – Meg
